Reviews: Anonymous

Really good, I was surprised it wasn't busier. Ideal location, friendly and hard-working staff, lots of bathrooms and a big kitchen. Highly recommended. I was very happy that the doors self lock when you close them, which is a rarity with hostels without swipecards. My only bit of advice is not to pay the ridiculous $5/hr for wifi; the public library right across the road has free wifi, and it's excellent. In summary, a very nice hostel with expensive wifi and no atmosphere.

Pretty standard large hostel, but it's better than Base. $3/hr for wifi is a joke. I stayed in the most expensive dorm (4 bed with window) and it was still very small. Keycards usually take about 10 swipes to work. Don't let you drink your own alcohol because they want to charge you ridiculous prices in their pub next door.

Hi Dean,
Thank you for taking time to review your stay at the Fat Camel. I hope the reception team informed you of the 30 mins free daily WIFI at our travel shop just 30 metres down the road and not to put the keycards next to phs and cards as this sometimes makes them play up. We don't allow drinking in the apartments is that only the bar is licenced in the building and drinking disturbs other guests, creates more mess and damage. $6 for a beer and a free snack meal each night expensive?

I've stayed here before, but only for one night this time. It was busier than last time, and there were towels and soap included this time, so that's a bonus. I will stay here again when I come to Hamilton in the future, so I guess it's worth your time. Just prepare for a lack of staff and the front door being locked/unlocked at bizarre times. Free wifi, and lots of bathrooms/showers for a small hostel. I'd prefer swipe cards because the long-terms don't lock the dorm doors.

Just fantastic, probably the best hostel I've stayed in. It's just a shame it's in Rotorua! Lots of freebies in the kitchen (of which there is two, and the upstairs one is usually empty so use that one), and the nightly activities to win beer in the living room are great fun. Real counter-culture vibe to the place, and nice reggae music plays throughout the day. Will definitely stay again. Ask Daan on the staff for his 2-for-1 vouchers to the Irish pub in town.

come on Rotorua is not that bad :( ha ha ha but yes we so wish we were next to the beach in some remote part of NZ sometimes :) thank you so much for your kind words so pleased you enjoyed the hostel. have a safe and happy new year ! safe travels to you :)

Dorms and bathrooms were clean and tidy, no issues there. I wouldn't recommend staying here if you're a solo traveler, as the common areas are small and loud, so it's hard to strike up conversations with new people. The staff are friendly but they think they're running a nightclub. Free computer use!! No BYO alcohol is always disappointing. Small kitchen.

Thank you for your comments. We are certainly not trying to emulate a night club and a 10pm closing time would reinforce this. We have a lot of travelers who have met friends, and stayed, who arrived independently. There will be more noise in the evening but both inside and outside courtyards also see people relaxing, reading, chatting etc during the day and evening too. Our separte TV lounge is also available for all guests. NZ liquor license laws are tough so we can't help that, sorry.

Difficult hostel to rate; some good things, some not. I booked a 4 bed dorm, was given an 8 bed, but the 8 bed was very spacious so I didn't mind. The annex is much nicer than the main building, so ask to stay out there. It has much better bathroom and shower facilities. It's a fair way out of town; there is a bus into town but it's expensive and infrequent. Owners are very nice people who will lend you a bike for the day for next to nothing if you ask nicely enough. Good enough for $25/night.

Good all around. Stayed for a few days over Christmas, it's a nice quiet spot only 10 mins out of the city and only 2 mins walk from a bus stop, although the supermarket is a big of a hike. Staff are excellent, and put on regular activities to get everyone mixing and social. Very clean, and great kitchen and bathroom facilities. Most of the guests are long term, and tend to keep to their groups, but are friendly enough.

A good hostel that could be excellent with a few changes. Only a small hostel with about 7 rooms, and only two of those are dorms I think. Two full sized bathrooms for such a small hostel is excellent, and I was never cramped for room in the kitchen. Common area is very large with lots of furniture. Owner is a nice guy who gives guests lifts to the transport centre at times when the free CBD bus isn't running. The wifi is free, unlike what the hostel's profile says.

Stayed for a week in an 8-bed dorm. Location is excellent, right next to all the pubs and cafes in Courtney Place, and a supermarket is right across the street. Dorms were very spacious. Staff very helpful. Good atmosphere for a big hostel, thankfully everyone in my room was pretty talkative. Having two staircases as well as the lift was great for someone who hates waiting for the lift. Only downsides were only having one small bathroom per floor, and charging $5 per day for wifi.

Only stayed one night but it was good. Very clean and well organised. Good instructions left for me in the mail box due to a late check-in. Short walk to the ferry terminal. 20-min wait to check out bugged me, but no big deal. Am staying again soon and looking forward to it. Very quiet, almost too much so.

Stayed a week and really enjoyed it. The pool hall downstairs gives it a bit of character and it's something to do with the new mates you;ll meet in Dunedin. Really good location, only a two minute walk to the city centre, yet it's off the main street enough to be very quiet. Very clean. Good showers and never had to wait. Bathrooms are very stuffy during the day. Wifi is awful, but the library across the road has very fast and FREE wifi 24/7 which can be picked up from the kitchen.

Excellent, can't wait to stay here again. They have anything you could want. The staff are extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the local area. The dorms and bathrooms very, very clean. The building has great character, all the way down to the creaky floors and beautiful staircases.
It's only a small hostel, so the staff get to know you pretty well and everyone around seems up for a chat. Very social place and only a short walk to all the major attractions. Loved it.